If you don’t know it by now, boxing in Southern California is like football in Texas, it’s a way of life and is considered that for those that are in and around it.
In the Los Angeles area, lies the city of Compton and a fighter looking to make himself known in the featherweight division.
His name is Adan “Temo” Ochoa (10-1) and he is ready to show the world that he belongs on the biggest stages and brightest lights that the sport has to offer.
Born in Long Beach, his parents decided to pack up and move to Compton when young Adan was merely three years old. Little did young Adan know, that this would be a life changing experience as he was going to grow up in one of the roughest neighborhoods in the country. Now the 21 year-old Ochoa has aspirations to go from “Hollyhood 2 Hollywood” as mentioned in his Instagram profile.
Without further ado, let me introduce you to Adan “Temo” Ochoa.
AG: Adan, thank you for taking time out of your training camp to do this interview. Let’s start off with where you are from, growing up and how you got into the sport of boxing.
AO: I was born in Long Beach but moved to Compton when I was three years old. I grew up with both of my parents and I have just one other sibling which is an older sister. Both of my parents are from Mexico but were raised here in the hood. Growing up in Compton, it was pretty rough and you had to always watch your back. It was very easy to be influenced to do bad things and I had no choice but to be around that all of the time. As a kid, I was always running around and was never really into sports like that but more so into the WWE. When I was ten years old, my dad saw that I was hanging out in the streets too much and felt like I needed to do something to get away from all of that so he took me to a boxing gym. At first, I wasn’t really into it but then I started to enjoy hitting the bag and sparring which led me to start taking a liking to it.
AG: As you continued to get into boxing as a teen, which fighters influenced you enough to really solidify your dream to become a professional fighter?
AO: Growing up, I was into Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather and they really motivated me to become a better fighter. I also really enjoyed watching Juan Manuel Marquez.
AG: After graduating high school, you turned pro in 2016 at the young age of 18. Describe what that feeling was like in the dressing room all the way to the first bell on the night of your first professional fight?
AO: That was the beginning of my career and knew that my amateur days were done while also knowing that the professional level was going to be a whole new experience. Walking into the ring, I had a bunch of mixed emotions as I was nervous, anxious, happy and excited. Once the bell rang, all of those emotions went away and I just did me!
AG: In your third professional fight, you lost a unanimous decision to a guy that was 5-0. Looking back at that fight, do you think it was maybe a step too big for you at that point?
AO: I was 2-0 with two knockouts and thought I was on top of the world. It was my decision to take that fight and thought I was ready. That night, it was a lack of experience but a learning lesson. No one beat me that night but myself.
AG: You currently train out of the Maywood Boxing Club. How did that come about?
AO: Maywood is one of the best boxing gyms in Southern California. Everyone knows about it as they have some of the best sparring and it’s the doghouse of California. I sparred there often and someone came up with the idea of having the owner, Mando, train me and since I did not have anyone permanent other than my dad, we tried it out. We clicked instantly and I knew that was the right way to go.
AG: What is your current promotional status?
AO: I’m not signed to anyone right now but would love to sign with any of the major promoters out there like GBP, Top Rank, PBC or Eddie Hearn.
AG: When is your next fight and what has been the preparation like for this one? Also, many fighters have to juggle with being a boxer and having a job to support themselves. Do you have another job outside of boxing or is it boxing 24/7?
AO: Thank God, thanks to my Dad and team that I am blessed enough only to have to focus on boxing each and every day. My dad wants me to only focus on boxing and that’s what I do boxing, boxing and more boxing. As far as my preparation goes, I have really stepped it up in regards to my level of sparring and my team has been really pushing me in this camp. My next fight is November 15th at the Burbank Marriot in Burbank, CA.
AG: For those that have not seen you fight in the past, how would you describe your boxing style?
AO: I either go in there and knock you out or I go there and make you look like you don’t even belong in a boxing ring. I train to be the best version of myself. I don’t train to fight according to anyone’s style or watch too much tape on anyone. I focus on me and doing everything to get the W.
AG: While you’re not preparing for a fight and just staying in shape, outside of the gym, what are some things you like to do?
AO: I like to hang out with my friends and go to the movies. I also like to visit places like Santa Monica and Hollywood as I enjoy spending time with friends and loved ones.
AG: You currently fight in the featherweight division. Do you see yourself staying there or do you think that the possibility of moving up will come sooner than later based off of how your body reacts to making weight?
AO: I want to remain at featherweight and win multiple world titles. I really want to make a statement at featherweight before thinking about moving up.
AG: As we approach the end of the year and you look at 2020, what are some of your expectations and how many times do you see yourself stepping into the ring?
AO: Every year I tell myself that it’s going to be my year and I want to just kill it. I am hoping to fight at least four or five times in 2020.
AG: What is your social media account where fans can follow you and what would you like to tell everyone that will be reading this?
AO: Keep supporting me and I will fight for you all. Within a year or two, I will be a featherweight champion. You can follow me on Instagram @aco126 .
Here we have another young fighter who refused to become a statistic in an environment that has the potential to proposing a negative lifestyle as the only lifestyle available. Follow Adan Ochoa’s journey and see if he fulfills his dreams of becoming a featherweight champion in the future.
You can follow me on twitter @abeg718 and on Instagram @nyfights.
